Two Indicted for Setting a Residence on Fire in Henderson, Kentucky in 2007

INDIANAPOLIS—Joseph H. Hogsett, U.S. Attorney, announced that Lori Hargis, 36, Louisville, Ky., and Leslie Vashaun White, 37, of Evansville, Indiana, were indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury sitting in Indianapolis, for conspiracy to set real property on fire for the purpose of collecting insurance proceeds, and in furtherance of that unlawful scheme committed wire fraud by filing a fraudulent insurance claim. The case was investigated by the Evansville Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

The indictment alleges that Hargis and White conspired with each other and other individuals to defraud State Auto Insurance Company by unlawfully setting fire to Lori Hargis’ residence located on Rucker Road in Henderson, Kentucky. The indictment further alleges that on December 8, 2007, White and another individual obtained paint thinner from a automobile detail shop in Mount Vernon, Ind. that was used as an accelerant to start Hargis’ house on fire. On December 9, 2007, White and an unnamed individual then traveled to Hargis’ residence and took various items from the house before setting it on fire. After her home burned to the ground, Hargis fraudulently filed a claim with State Auto Insurance Company to pay for the cost of her house and the contents therein.

The indictment also charges Hargis in Count Two of the Indictment with structuring bank withdrawals to avoid domestic financial institution reporting requirements. Hargis unlawfully structured her cash withdrawals on four separate occasions between November 3 and November 6, 2008.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthias D. Onderak, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Hargis and White face a maximum of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 for the arson conspiracy. Hargis also faces up to five years imprisonment for structuring the cash withdrawals to avoid banking reporting requirements. An initial hearing will be scheduled for the pair in Evansville, Indiana before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.